My Simply Nutella Saturday

Don’t tell me you have never done it before. Don’t go pushing your glasses up your nose and flicking an imaginary speck off your business suit. You are not making eye contact, just staring at your screen typing away, mouth set in a grim line while I accuse you. Don’t lie to me. I don’t know why you are lying to me. When everyone has done it before.

You look up at me sharply when I say that. You subtly look both directions before giving me a slight nod to continue. And I do.

Don’t tell me that you, Miss/Mr prim and proper sitting working like an average person with an average life has never gone a little of your head. Don’t tell me you haven’t sang at the top of your lungs (maybe not ‘We Found Love’ – that is acceptable) while butt-shaking around the house, iPod in one hand, air pumping fist with the other. Don’t tell me you haven’t gone and danced while baking, mixing to the rhythm and acting out the song when some batter falls onto the table. Just don’t tell me. Because seriously, if you haven’t you have been missing out.

Why did I do this? Why was I busting out in my kitchen using my wooden spoon as a microphone? Because it was my night. My night home alone with no one around. Just me, myself, my kitchen and my simply gorgeous singing voice 😉

That’s better…

You can’t judge me. No one can judge me. I was there in my element, rocking up my house. It. Was. Awesome. 😀

You look at me, surprised I am being so open. You open your mouth but it just hangs, looking a little like a goldfish eating its flakes. I am exhilarated, and you are not. But you wish you were. I swing around and leave you sitting in your chair, gaping a little and twitching, fiddly and unsteady. ! know, even if you will never tell me. You have done it before. And now you are going to go home, chuck off those heels and do it all again. Because it is pure fun 🙂

Yeah, I had an awesome Saturday. Sure I worked. But the morning and evening were the best parts of the day! And as I sit here after school, just the memory brings a huge smile grin to my face 😀

I kicked off my morning (after a very late Friday night :)) with some Nutella oatmeal. Why Nutella? Because it is always Nutella after my friend’s birthday baking, I was having some serious Nutella cravings that even spooning did not satisfy 😛

I had this wonderful recipe from the totally fabulous blog Simply Scratch bookmarked for a while. Had to use it and this was the most opportune moment 😀
She actually has so many yummy oatmeal recipes but this one beat all (I wonder why?)

Fast, simple, super delicious and filling, it got me fired up to do whatever work necessary. I had to be free for my big finale night. For me 😉

Did I make changes? I increased the Nutella to 2 tbs – look at that gorgeous brown colour I got! Also, I added 1 tsp of vanilla essence. It doesn’t do too much, I just love putting it in everything!

Now comes the night. Do you remember the time, we fell in love, do you remember the time, sorry got side tracked, the songs from shuffle are still running through my head 😉
What I meant to say was: Do you remember this recipe? You don’t remember 5 sources of peanut butter in one cookie? Another lie. Tut tut 😉

Well I adapted it from the wonderful Picky Palate. From this recipe specifically. What I forgot to mention was that I made one other recipe from it. So adapted it may not be adapted at all anymore. Now do not get scared. I am very, um, retro I guess. This recipe is nuts. But it works. Oh yea it works.

In this recipe you can add anything you want. I opted for a buttery shortbread slathered with apricot jam, frozen for 10 minutes, crushed and then mixed into the batter. Don’t think it works with Nutella.

WELL YOU ARE WRONG!

Sorry but you have to believe me. Jam and Nutella. Orange and Nutella. Jaffa Nutella. The newest and best creation ever. Genius. Love it. Want more. Enjoy.

And before I leave you alone because I know this has been uber long and uber picture-esque (which I don’t think you mind ;)) here are couple of things I would like to share with you 😀

Ever been to My Beautiful Things? No? What are you waiting for???
Amazing blog, amazing blogger, I was flattered that she decided to make the wonderful Lemon Polenta Cookies I made last week 😀 – She renamed them Jewel Cookies because of the beautiful look of raisins (she used craisins) in them – how cool is that! Aren’t they gorgeous 😀Check out her gorgeous method slideshow here!

I know I have been showing you many a food pic but just a little something to get you jealous – after weeks of nuts and chocolate and cranberries, meet my newest study companion:Don’t judge me! My half yearlies are straight after my holidays (gaah…) 😉

Note to Kimby and An Irish Village Pantry: Thank you so much for the awards my friends. I will be posting about it with my next post. Just wanted to let you all know so you would not be surprised it was not in this one 🙂

This post inspired me too but perhaps in an unexpected way! I made more polenta cookies, this time with choc chips and orange, (good but not as good as the lemony ones) and was left with more egg whites so I decided to make meringues and sandwiched then together with Nutella! That was some sugar hit!!

Wow your kitchen was sugar heaven – what a great way of using up ingredients and satisfying too 😀
Jaffa polenta cookies? YUM 🙂
And thank you very much for such kind words my friend – your comments always make my day!

You’re so funny! I was in stitches, halfway through! I’ve got a confession to make though, I’m not a fan of nutella BUT I love chocolate and I love peanut butter so please don’t hate me!!! Another indulgent gem!

Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting on my Can’t be Beet bars recently. I keep coming over to comment but get distracted by all your beautiful posts! Your blog is so much fun and I’m enjoying everything I’ve read – but what to try first????

Oh girl…I always have my music playing when I’m in the kitchen!! Dancing, yes! singing…well not so much! But you will always catch me moving my hips! Nutella in your oatmeal – probably every child’s dream come true!! I’m thinking I might need to give that a try!

If I was home alone not only would I sing but I would probably sing, dance and generally do whatever crazy thing I want. It is not very common when you have a family to be all alone at home. This is a reason to celebrate. The fudge cookie seems very appropriate for such celebration!

I’m so silly I know that you always have some delicious sweet posting on your site, yet I came here again right before I go to bed… now my dream will be all about nutella and these delicious cookies – and you had it with ice cream? DROOL….

Hi. Thanks for checking out my blog earlier… 🙂 I love Nutella and yes, definitely ate that straight out of the jar using a spoon….ohhh…so good. LOVE. I will definitely try to make these cookies and you know..I have put nutella into oatmeal before, but i just get one spoonful and then nib on it while I eat the oatmeal…Lol.

My pleasure – did not realise thought I would be meeting such a Nutella lover though 😀
I hope you enjoy the cookies and as for the oatmeal, put a generous spoon into the nutella and then grab ANOTHER spoonful to nib on 😉
Yum!

I hope you still love me after I tell you I am not a big nutella fan:-p BUT I do love the idea of nutella and orange, that would be delcious:-) I love your bag of candy, I always had gummies and hot tamales:-) Hugs, Terra

I am guilty of all counts,the dancing , singing , you name it.
Now back to the Nutella, I have been seeing chocolate oatmeal everywhere and I just can’t wait to try it.
Now your cookie brownie hybrid is the very definition of temptation and I wonder how long I can rersist that

LOVE this post! So funny…because when you started off….’don’t tell me you’ve never done it’…..I thought you were going to say eating Nutella out of the jar with just a spoon! Guilty as charged!!! I just love all things Nutella and you offered us so many in this post. That oatmeal…..wow! That would definitely have me dancing to my IPod! : )

I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! I enjoy reading your blog and hope that others will see it and be able to enjoy it, too! Here is the link to my post about it: http://food-lovers-club.com/2012/03/i-am-honored/

Your cookie looks awesome! It would definitely satisfy any nutella or choc craving one is having. Nutella is relatively new to me but I can see why so many people love it. I tried it for a blogging dessert challenge and the post was really well received. 🙂

Thank you so much – I promise, no craving could withstand them 😀
And welcome to the wonderful world of Nutella – looks like you already can see its delicious benefits!
And it was my pleasure ‘meeting’ you too 🙂

OMG, as if the nutella oatmeal isn’t crave worthy enough, you give us giant fudgy nutella cookie! I love it! BTW..everything you said about my site, I fell exactly the same way about yoyrs! That totally made my day – you’re so sweet! xo

Hi!! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog 🙂 My my… what a fun and gorgeous blog you have here! I am so glad I stopped by to visit… That giant cookie is just what I need right now! Such a cookie craving happening… I am not a huge nutella fan (sorry!) but that cookie looks perfect! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Thanks so much 😀
I can forgive your lack of Nutella because you have an awesome sweet tooth and love giant cookies 🙂
Maybe a giant 5-sourced peanut butter cookie is more your thing 😉
I am really stoked you visited and it was a pleasure going to yours!

Thank goodness I am not the only one that sings and dances while baking – I am especially guilty when I am baking bread , when Justin is in his man cave he can always tell when I am busting a move while kneading my bread – he just thinks it is hilarious, I can’t help it, it gets me into a good kneading rythem!

I am also known to pick up the closest cuddly animal to me an dstart dancing away..that poor unassuming friend is usually my kitty spencer…he never quite knows what to think about my impromptu dance parties!

Haha I love it!! Kneading to the beat 🙂
And also a soft spot for cute little animals – definitely cool 😀
Though I don’t know whether to be happy or a little scared for Spencer 😉
Definitely scared if my scenario!

Oh my God HA! You crack me up. Totally jam out, usually the whisk is a mic, and I love every second of it. This all looks and sounds really really delicious! I love the shortbread cookie/jam mixture in the nutella cookie, looks soooo good! And the nutella oatmeal sounds like an excellent way to start your day!! Sounds like you had a lovely little Saturday! Awesome post!

I need to do this to my oatmeal. Can you believe I ran out of Nutella? I LOVE the combo of nutella and bananas. It just looks so edible, do you know what I mean. That is it, when I come back from vacation I am buying the large double jars of Nutella from Costco.

I am so sorry for your loss 😥 – though I am sure a quick trip will solve it and your oatmeal issues 😀
And the combo definitely was! And your idea rocks – have a great vacation (take some Nutella with you ;))

Ok, I have to admit after seeing this, the idea of “saving” back my nutella is nothing but a joke. Your monster nutella cookies are ones not to be missed. Girl no doubt you had a delicious weekend-wish I had been there! Enjoy the day!

Okay my sweet tooth is totally satisfied after reading this post! Wow… all those chocolaty goodies look amazing! Yes… I think most people if they are truthful have acted completely mad from time to time and sung into their hairbrush or in the shower. LOL! I’m so glad you are loving life!! Have a great week. 🙂

You’re beginning to make me wish I loved chocolate. 🙂 I’d say I could relate to the rest of it, but I don’t remember the last time I wore heels, or a suit for that matter. Working from home, I get to dance to the music all the time. Life is good (great).

I am sure you love baking and thats why you enjoy it so much with doing so singing at the same time. Whenever I bake, its like licking bits and pieces of the sweet mixture without any dancing or singing.

Great way of using oatmeals for this recipe and beautifully served with sliced bananas. That last pic looks so good and I cannot go on denial that its tempting very much.

That makes sense my friend – though you should try it 😀
Thanks very much – The oatmeal I consider healthy so if it is tempting you so go right ahead (and I love the contrast of banana’s colours with it!)

That does look very indulgent. It is very rare for me to have a night at home with everyone else out of the house. I think the last time it happened was a couple of years ago. I went out and bought a 1kg pork belly and cooked it and served it with a caramelised vinegar. It was delicious, indulgent and I didn’t have to share it. Your cookies look incredible! xx

Wow! you had a lot of goodies there this weekend. That oatmeal looks simply amazing. I just woke up. I’m starving and watching all of these yummy stuff is just torture. Whyyyyyyy?? Hahaha! Great job on everything. They all look fantastic.

Dear CCU, I see you have purchased a new fresh container of nutella. You are girl after my own heart. Sinful desserts that just make we want to bake at 2 am. I absolutely love reading your blog. I know that I am getting older but recently having a physically harder time reading your recipes because the design of the flowers is over lapping some of your words. If no one else has mentioned this than no worries but I do love reading your blogs. Take care, BAM

Haha, it was new once a long long time ago 😉
I am so glad I make you want to bake, thank you so much 😀
And yes, I have had other people saying this – I assume it is on a reader such as an ipad?
If it is on a reader, switching to the mobile view is the best and easiet option otherwise it is hard. I have heard from others on this issue so if the mobile switch does not work, then of course I will incorporate frangipanis elsewhere 🙂
Thank you for telling me!